document translation needed

[monman]

I need a certified translation of the following from Japanese to
English:
1. Japanese divorce papers
2. Japanese birth certificate

Thank you!
John Mongerson

[Edward Lipsett]

Often such certification requires that the translator personally swear that
the content is accurate in front of a notary... which usually means visiting
the consulate or embassy.
You might want to verify that before merely having someone translate them
for you.

=====
Edward Lipsett
Fukuoka, Japan

[Alan Siegrist]

Edward Lipsett writes:

> Often such certification requires that the translator personally swear
> that the content is accurate in front of a notary... which usually means
> visiting the consulate or embassy.

It might depend on the country. In Japan, you are probably right in that it
may require a visit to the embassy. In the US, any translator can certify
their own translation with a signed letter stating their qualifications. I
have done so many times but only once has a client asked me to go to a
notary public. The only thing that the notary public does is check the ID of
the person claiming to the translator, and vouch that the translator did in
fact sign the certification letter. Naturally, a notary public has no
opinion as to the quality of the translation.

Regards,

Alan Siegrist
Orinda, CA, USA

[Nora Stevens Heath]

Alan Siegrist wrote:

> In the US, any translator can certify their own translation with a
> signed letter stating their qualifications. I have done so many times
> but only once has a client asked me to go to a notary public.

If you wind up needing one, it's also worth pointing out that notary
publics are thick as thieves in the States. There's probably one at
every bank, not to mention every copy shop (like Kinko's) and shipping
store (like The UPS Store). Much more convenient than having to trek
down to the embassy or consulate.

Nora

--
Nora Stevens Heath <no...@fumizuki.com>
J-E translations: http://www.fumizuki.com/

[jmarc...@comcast.net]

Nora wrote:
>
> If you wind up needing one, it's also worth pointing out that notary
> publics are thick as thieves in the States. There's probably one at
> every bank, not to mention every copy shop (like Kinko's) and shipping
> store (like The UPS Store). Much more convenient than having to trek
> down to the embassy or consulate.
>

Also real estate agents. There are almost always a couple of notaries in each real estate office, and often they do not charge anything.

John Marchioro

>

[monman]

Thank you all very much for your ideas and input!!
John Mongerson